INSIDER'SACCESS

An Alternative Rainy Day Guide for Seattle

Esther Yun

Oct 04, 2016

When you type “how much does it r” into Google's search bar, the first suggestion that pops up is “how much does it rain in Seattle?”. Seattle may hold the reputation for gray skies and nine months of rain, but the steady drizzle of raindrops creates the perfect atmosphere for coffee addicts, bookworms, and art connoisseurs. In celebration of this, we've gathered ten cosy and chic places worth saving for a rainy day. You're welcome.

Ugly Mug Cafe

Ugly Mug Cafe is a hidden gem coffee shop tucked away in a corner of 'The Ave', a bustling street in the University District. It offers quality sandwiches, salads, soups, and coffee in addition to the most warm and welcoming vibes. It's a prime spot for socializing, reading, or studying. You can also try Milstead & Co., Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Storyville Coffee, or 5 Stones Coffee Co. for a fulfilling experience in the city that started the coffee revolution.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFW0VZMCoqA/

Totokaelo

Behold, one of Seattle’s most innovative and high-end boutiques. Totokaelo represents clothing designed by independent designers, and features world class brands like Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake, and Acne Studios. With the simple and clean design, and focus on minimalistic, edgy pieces, Totokaelo is an aesthetically pleasing boutique that's always worth a visit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDEcD5dCuop/?taken-by=totokaelo_seattle

Elliott Bay Book Company

With an inviting aura and home to over 150,000 titles, Elliott Bay Book Company is the must-go bookstore in town (also, it's next door to Totokaelo). It offers a diverse selection of new books and bargain editions, so you could spend hours getting lost in the countless novels available. Inside the bookstore lies Little Oddfellows, which serves hot drinks, delicious kombucha, baked goods and grain salads.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJb2diVhnID/?taken-by=jungchenhung

Seattle Art Museum

In the heart of downtown Seattle, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), has been the center for world-class visual arts in the Pacific Northwest since 1933. The collections, installations, and exhibitions feature art from Asia, Africa, Ancient America, Europe, and more. On the first Thursday of the month, the SAM offers free entry for collections and installations and half price for special exhibitions. Also, from now until September 10, 2017, Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Mirrored Room” is available for viewing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJJB7vKjz3j/?taken-by=seattleartmuseum

Pie Bar

A rainy day calls for comfort food and you can get a combination of sweet and savory with one of Pie Bar's award-winning pies. Pie Bar offers a full bar with beers on tap, wine, and cider. VIVA's top drinks are the apple pie moonshine mule or any flavor of the pie-tinis (pie-infused martinis,obvs). The marionberry pie with a side of vanilla ice cream is simply incomparable to any other pie in Seattle. All in all, pie and booze is the way to go if you need to fulfill multiple cravings at once.

CANVAS

A gloomy day creates the perfect opportunity to add some color to it, through painting. At CANVAS you’ll relax in a social, group setting as the artist guides you step-by-step through replicating the session's featured painting. Classes are approximately two-and-a-half hours long and range between $25 – $45, depending on the session and painting. Included in the price are all of your painting necessities, while beverages such as beer or champagne are available for purchase. It's the ultimate opportunity to explore your creative side in a relaxing environment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/k8gYPnqSzk/

Theo Chocolate

If you grew up watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the factory tour offered at Theo Chocolate Factory might be right up your alley. Theo Chocolate was the first organic chocolate maker in the US, and uses only the purest ingredients from the Congo and Peru. On your tour, stories of the cocoa will be given, as well as information on the social and environmental issues related to cocoa and cocoa farmers. Best of all, you’ll get to sample the chocolate. Theo factory tours are $10 per person and last about one hour.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGVrECNqJNY/

Seattle Central Library

With its eye-catching, unusual shape, Seattle Central Library is the flagship library of the Seattle Public Library system. And, seriously, it's well worth spending time at. Whether you’re visiting to read books all day or to check out the industrial design, you'll be sure to enjoy discovering new haunts and the plentiful people watching opps. The library itself is like one big piece of art and is a great spot to shield yourself from the rain.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFvD9iyvZaS/?tagged=seattlecentrallibrary

The Tasting Room

The Tasting Room boasts an old-style wine bar, and even better, it's located in the historic Pike Place Market. Sixty different wines are available to test, and wines are available by the glass with prices ranging from $5 to $15. You can also try four wines for $10 before choosing to have a full glass. This rustic spot is conveniently open seven days a week and is the perfect place to unwind and relax.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJbmEghA5IM/?taken-at=240347004

Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery

These decadent comfort desserts are not only delicious, but adorably presented on a wooden block with a side of ice cream. As soon as you take your first bite, you'll discover what a game changer it is. The sweet and rich cake paired with vanilla ice cream is the dream place to get your chocolate fix. And it'll end what might be your most enjoyable rainy day in Seattle yet...